Okay, my mother-in law has been having trouble when she shifts back to 2-low. I think that the problem is that being single, at home she doesn't go out as much, and her jeep has 60K on the odometer....

When she shifts out of 4-hi she does it in her garage and whe she goes to leave the next time she drives anywhere I inevitably get a call that something is wrong with her steering. I have tried explaining that even though the light isn't on the dash, and the lever is in the 2low position, the front differential is still engaged.... (despite backing out of the garage, and driving nearly 500' with a slight right turn before she is out into the street, where she notices the problem)

I just want to make sure that I'm not overlooking a problem with her jeep... should I change the differential juice (which I think has never been done) to prevent sticking, or is there somewhere on here jeep (2000 grand cherokee) that needs to see some lubrication?

Thanks for any help.
-Mark

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2008 VW Rabbit- 5-speed 5-cylinders
2000 TJ 4-cylinders 5-speed I'll let you know when I figure it out.
2006 Liberty SOLD.

I didn't know you could disengage the 4x4 system by driving in reverse... I thought all shift on the fly systems needed to be changed (going into and out of 4x4) while you were moving forward only. Or at least that is what I think I remember from the owners manual...

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

That's what I thought.... I told her to leave it in 4hi until she was driving down the driveway and then shift it to 2 low, but I'm afraid that she'll look down and drive down the ravine.

She has it in her mind that as long as the transmission is still in "D" that it's the same as going forward. Without getting technical, how do I explain that is not the case?

I married a blonde because I love her. I must have missed the point of the jokes all my life (well, at least for her mom)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wugtvAsMymo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fitrocks%2Ebiteus%2Eorg%2Ffunny%2Dcommercial%2Dblonde%2Dat%2Dlibrary%2F (there is sound)

Is it likely that she needs new tie rod ends because she has stressed them by doing this everytime it snows?
-Mark

_________________
2008 VW Rabbit- 5-speed 5-cylinders
2000 TJ 4-cylinders 5-speed I'll let you know when I figure it out.
2006 Liberty SOLD.

doubt that the tie rod ends need replacing. though turning on dry pavement in 4 isn't great, if you just take one little turn, it's not going to kill anything. if you drove in circles everyday in 4 for a long time, I'm sure something would end up being unhappy.

Just tell her to put the lever into 2 while she is still moving. You can switch out in reverse, it doesnt' matter. You can switch in/out of 4 with the motor off, or in park, but it isn't as easy because the gears aren't moving. it's easiest to shift when the vehicle is moving. Tell her to push down on the lever hard to make sure that it is indeed out of 4. that should take care of things.

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Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice. -Durant

Thanks Xj, I think that I have her understanding... the best analogy I could come up with is that it's like a 10-speed:

You can move the shifter when you're not pedaling/moving but it won't change gear until you start pedaling, you'll just stretch the cables and end up getting it fixed earlier than later....

As far as driving on dry pavement in 4x4, I would imagine that one would grenade a differential before breaking a tie rod eh?
Thanks.
-Mark

_________________
2008 VW Rabbit- 5-speed 5-cylinders
2000 TJ 4-cylinders 5-speed I'll let you know when I figure it out.
2006 Liberty SOLD.

I'm just glad to hear that it doesn't sound like she needs anything fixing...


-Mark

_________________
2008 VW Rabbit- 5-speed 5-cylinders
2000 TJ 4-cylinders 5-speed I'll let you know when I figure it out.
2006 Liberty SOLD.